Locomotive boiler structure



Dec. 26, 1933. J. A. PILCHER LOCOMOTIVE BOILER STRUCTURE Filed 001,. 20, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR- Q Q ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 1933. J, A. PILCHER LOCOMOTIVE BOI LER STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 20, 1950 2 sheets-shed 2 A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 26, 1933 UNITED STATES LOCOMOTIVE BOILER STRUCTURE John A. Pilcher, Roanoke, Va. Application October 20, 1930. Serial N0. 490,064v I 3 Claims. (01. 122-493).

My invention. relates to the bracing of boiler sheets in structuresQwhere the boilerwalls form relatively angular corners, a familiarexarnple of whichisfound in railway locomotive boilers where the roof: sheet meets the backhead and front flue sheets andrbraces extend diagonally across the corner. tohold the sheets against distortion.

Boiler corner braces are usually attached to the roof or wrapper sheet and the boiler head by 10, meansof separate brackets, .the head brackets being. T-shapedand secured in place by rivets in pairs of parallel rows. A multiplicity of irregularly spaced rivet holes must accordingly be bored in the head, which obviously weaken the boiler 11. and crowd various boiler fittings usually mount ed on the boiler back head.

The general object of my invention is to provide a simple and effective means of attaching the braces to the boiler sheets, and at the same time leaving ample room for necessary washout plugs, throttle rod openings, gauge cock, dry pipe and other openings without interfering with the braces or rivets.

Other objects and applications of my invention,

as well as details of construction whereby my invention may be put in practice will appear more fully hereinafter when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an end view of the rear half of a boiler embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section through the same taken approximately on the line 2--2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the center of the upper portion of the fire box and adjacent boiler sheets.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section through the upper portion of the fire box and adjacent .boiler sheets embodying a modified form of my invention.

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same structure.

Figure 7 is a detail illustrating another modification of my invention. a

Figure 8 is a vertical section through a boiler fronthead upper member comprising a single casting.

In the construction shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, I illustrate a one piece casting forming the upper portion of a boiler backhead and comprising a body wall with an inturned flange 36 at its upper end adapted to be riveted at 37 to the boiler roof sheet 38. The lower edge of wall backhead from bending or breaking.

35 may be welded to the upper edge of the backhead sheet proper. 39,as indicatedat n, or these backhead elements may be overlapped "and riveted together. V V The body wall 35 is reinforced by suitable sub- 60,, stantially radially disposed flanges 40 which merge at their upper ends with flange 36 andp'roe vide anchorage for the brace rods 41, replacing the usual T'irons for this purpose. Rods 41.ha ve jaws. 42 on their endsarranged to receive the 6 5, flanges 40 between them. v The rods are secured by the usual pins 43. The roof sheet and back head are further braced from the fire box crown sheet 380. and door sheet 3911 by stay bolts. 44 and 45. Perforated bosses A, B, C and D for 7Q washout plugs, throttle rod, and other equipment may be suitably positioned on the surface of the head without the necessity of avoiding the multiplicity of rivets heretofore applied to the head.

In-this arrangement one brace is provided for 7Q each flange 40 and this brace is attached near the lower end of the flange so that the load from the internal pressure bearing against the top portion of the castingwill be resisted by the i braces 41 and by the rivets 37 tieing the flange .80 36 to the roof sheet 38. This arrangement divides the load from the internal pressure between the braces 41 and-the roof sheet 38. The flanges 40 are sufficiently strong to carry the load between the two points of support and are spacedjd, close enough to prevent the upper portion 'ofthe They eliminate the necessity of .the usual outside sheet andreinforcing brackets at this portion of the backhead and eliminate the usual rivets required for attaching the sheet to the brackets. Pads 40a are provided on the outer face of wall 35 so that workmen drilling through the wall can avoid ribs 40.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a similar backhead 9,5, casting 46 secured to the'back sheet a and provided with transverse flanges 47. The boiler structure differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 4 in having a plurality of braces 48 secured to each flange 47, thus distributing the pressure on the upper portion of the head over a larger part of the roof sheet.

The use of the single brace for each flange, as shown in Figures 1 tr. 4, reduces the weight of the material in the braces by distributing a 12 large portion of the pressure load directly to the roof sheet through the flange 36. The design with the plurality of braces'secured to each flange, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, reduces the size needed for each individual brace but provides a greater 1 head sheet 49 overlaps the lower portion of an,

upper backhead casting 50 and rivets 51 secure the two head portions together.

Although Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, illustrate backhead structures, it will be understood that the same elements of design may be embodied in front flue or tube sheet structures.

As an example, Figure'S shows a casting 52 having a flange 53 for attachment to the boiler roof sheet 54 and preferably having the dry pipe attaching member 55 integral with the upright 'wall. Ribs 56 provide for attachment of corner braces.

Various other modifications in the details of my invention may be made without departing from thespirit thereof andI contemplate the exclusive use of those variations which come within the scope of my claims.

'IcIaim:

l. A new article of manufacture constituting a locomotive boiler head upper member and con- V ment of brace rods.

ingrbracing ribs merging with said flange, and

brace rods extending from said roof sheet to portions of said ribs spaced from said flange and cooperating with said ribs and said flange to transfer head pressures directly to said roof sheet. 3. In a locomotive boiler, a roof sheet, a back head, a fire box rear sheet, the lower portion of said back head being braced from said rear sheet, and the upper portion thereof above said rear sheet comprising an inherently rigid member having an integral flangeat the top directly connected with said roof sheet and integral outstanding ribs extending from said flange to the lower edge ofsaid member, and'brace rods extending from said roof sheet to the lower portion of said ribs, said flange, ribs; and rods serving to transmit all pressures on said upper portion 7 directly to said roof sheet.

JOHN A. PILCHER; 

